«It Has Opened My Eyes To New Possibilities For My Startup», FHNW School of Business

Kriss has always been driven by a desire to expand her skill set. As a mining engineer who relocated from the Philippines to Liechtenstein in 2019, she quickly realised that entering the Swiss job market would be challenging. With a long-standing interest in business, she decided to pursue the Swiss-International MBA to enhance her professional capabilities, focussing on entrepreneurship and expanding her network. Now in her third semester and preparing to start with her master’s thesis, Kriss reflects on her journey, highlighting how the programme is shaping her future in terms of personal growth as well as her startup venture.

She was particularly drawn to the Swiss-International MBA for its unique approach that combines the flexibility of online learning with real-world learning during the residential weeks. «One of the main factors are the four residential weeks, where we visit companies and tackle real-time business challenges», she explains. This hands-on experience allowed Kriss to gain a deeper understanding of various industries while maintaining her professional commitments.

For Kriss, the flexibility of the online programme is essential. «I travel between Liechtenstein and the Philippines quite often, so having an online MBA was key to balancing everything», she says. This adaptability allowed her to seamlessly integrate her studies with her life, which now revolves around developing her startup project.

The opportunity to connect with a diverse range of professionals from across the globe was another significant draw. «My classmates are from every corner of the world», Kriss notes. «It brings so many perspectives, a diversity that has been incredibly enriching.»

Balancing the demands of full-time studies, part-time work and a startup has not been easy. «It’s challenging, especially in terms of time management and organisation», she admits. However, the rewards are clear. Kriss has honed crucial skills like strategic planning and financial management, which have been invaluable to her startup. «These skills are really helping me in developing my business», she says, adding that her leadership abilities have also improved significantly through the programme’s collaborative environment.

Kriss credits the programme with broadening her vision and enhancing her business concept. «I’ve met so many people and was exposed to various business models, which opened my eyes to new possibilities for my startup», she shares.

Kriss is preparing to focus her master’s thesis on her startup «Jack», an all-in-one app designed to streamline childcare for expat families and international students. «It’s an app that connects babysitters to parents, but it also integrates features like calendars, payments, and even e-commerce», she explains. As she moves forward, her thesis will explore how the app can be adapted to the Swiss and Liechtenstein markets. Currently working on a prototype, Kriss aims to launch «Jack» by the end of the year.

The experience with the Swiss-International MBA has been eye-opening for Kriss. «It’s really honed my professional skills and opened a lot of doors», she reflects. She would recommend the programme to professionals looking for international exposure and real-world business experience. Her advice to future students? «Take full advantage of the networking opportunities and the residential weeks – they are the highlights of the programme.»